Research Question: What is the history of standardized testing?
Author: Emily Hudson
1.) Standardized Testing and School Accountability
WILIAM, D. (2010). Standardized Testing and School Accountability. Educational Psychologist, 45(2), 107-122.
This analysis article, written by Dylan Wiliam, narrows down on how the focus of teaching has changed throughout the years. He mentions a powerful quote that H. L. Mencken made over a century ago: “There is always an easy solution to every human problem: neat, plausible, and wrong.” He also talks about England's education system and how it has impacted America. In 1858, a Royal Commission was set up to, "inquire into the state of popular education in England." Their report stated that the money being paid to elementary schools should depend on three aspects - physical condition of school, attendance, and performance of the students in an oral exam. This became well know as, "payments by results." This concerned how much the schools should be getting paid and essentially the salary of the teachers. Meanwhile in America, testing for accountability became a hot topic. The stakes for testing continued to be much higher for the teachers than the students, which they have been like for many years now. In contrast to America, in other developed and developing countries, testing regimes are either lower stakes for the teachers or both high-stakes.
After reading this, it clarifies how America's education system is viewing education. By seeing how we have mirrored England's ways, and how we have only grown worse with it, in my opinion, it truly shows how we are going in the wrong direction with it. Also, it showed how we have been putting so much pressure on the students and teachers for much longer than I thought.
2.) Measuring Student Achievement: A Study of Standardized Testing & Its Effect on Student Learning
Gawthrop, J. Measuring student achievement. A Study of Standardized Testing & Its Effect on Student Learning, 4-28. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
This academic journal by Jeremiah Gawthrop gives his opinion on how he feels people have viewed standardized testing. Standardized tests were designed to assess a students' knowledge without bias. Also, many government officials believe standardized testing ways are a reliable indicator of students' abilities. These tests have been heavily incorporated into the education process with drafting education policies, such as No Child Left Behind and Race to The Top. Although education was not specifically mentioned in America's founding documents, it has become clear the it is impossible to achieve our God given rights without it. Education has become a tool to take people out of poverty and bring them liberty. Due to the formal way standardized testing is performed, schools and government officials feel as though it provides an efficient, helpful collection of data.
In this essay, I feel like Gawthrop really explores how the government has adapted ways of standardized testing. However, it makes you wonder if the government is following education's path or is education molding more into how the government is run.
3.) Standardized Test
Concepts, L. (2013). Standardized Test Definition. The Glossary of Education Reform. Retrieved 15 December 2015
The Glossary to Education Reform explains what makes up a standardized test and the different varieties we have developed. Standardized tests typically come in multiple-choice and true-false formats in order to score quickly and inexpensively. However, there can be open-ended essay questions scored by humans with a set rubric to ensure consistency. This way of testing is seen "less efficient", "costly," and, "more subjective." Surprisingly, companies are in the process of designing computerized systems in order to replace human scoring on essays. There are several purposes of standardized testing; one use is achievement tests. Achievement tests measure the knowledge and progress of students over a period of time and determines what stage you are at. Also, aptitude tests are "forward-looking" and attempt to predict a student's ability in certain circumstance. They show how well students will do in a similar future educational or career setting.
After reading what the Glossary of Education Reform had to say about standardized testing, I am shocked to see how "efficient" we are becoming. I cannot imagine the controversies and debates there will be when there are computerized systems grading essays.
4.) To the Core: College Composition Classrooms in The Age of Accountability, Standardized Testing, and Common Core State Standards
Addison, J., & McGee, S. (2015). To the Core: College Composition Classrooms in The Age of Accountability, Standardized Testing, and Common Core State Standards. Rhetoric Review, 34(2), 200-218.
This newspaper article really goes into depth about how standardized testing has evolved. In 1833, Harvard and other colleges started to conduct written exams as proof of achievement. In 1851 Harvard faculty realized that everyone coming into the school did not have a uniform set of skills and turned to written entrance exams. Also, the number of children attending public schools was drastically increasing and began to mirror the ways of testing at their schools. Prior to 1845, the Boston public schools also followed the standard practice of requiring oral exams, but due to the extremely high number of students, they turned to a written exam - thinking it would be less time consuming and more objective. The 1860s marks the beginning of any significant change in American universities when a diverse group of people started to seek a university education. The introduction of scaled tests of writing started with George Fisher, an English schoolteacher, who conducted anchor papers on a scale of 1-5 for each student. Later in 1912, The National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as The Nation’s Report Card, was conducted in 1969. It was conducted every four years on a national basis to obtain the progress of American Education.
This article gave me the most information out of all of my sources. I feel as though this newspaper article truly captures how America has turned to quickness and easiness when dealing with education. It shows that America does want to improve students' learning, but do not know how to manage every single student's learning.
5.)16 Standardized Tests Being Used in Education Today
Teachthought.com,. (2015). Retrieved 1 December 2015
This reputable website, "Teach Thought," clearly identifies the different types of standardized testing in America. It focuses on many types of testing, but I chose to focus on a handful of them. First, the Common Core State Testing tests students in math, reading, foreign languages, economics, arts, and physical education. These test results drastically effect teacher evaluations, education policies, and funding. Also, Terra Nova is a series of achievement tests used by the Department of Defense, California, and other states. These tests assess reading, language arts, math, science, social studies, vocabulary, spelling, and other areas. Next, the Stanford Achievement Test, or the SATs is used both in America and abroad. It tests skills in reading comprehension, mathematics, problem solving, language, spelling, listening comprehension, science, and social science. Although this is an extremely common test students take when admitting to colleges, due to the No Child Left Behind Act, it is becoming less common as states develop their own standardized tests. To add, PARCC (the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) and SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) are making an impact on standardized testing. These tests are taken electronically and utilize computer skills. In addition to these tests, AP exams are offered at a numerous amount of high schools. There are currently 34 types of AP courses offered focusing on different topics that serve as college credit. Lastly, The New York Performance Standards Consortium has effected 28 public high schools. Its new technique of evaluating students by performance-based assessments instead of standardized tests they focus on research papers and physical science projects, which has shown extreme improvement. With research papers and physical science projects, students get more involved in the curriculum, and it is showing in the dropout rates.
This website clearly outlines all of the tests students take. I thought it was very beneficial to read this, because it explains the purpose and reasonings for the tests we take. There were several tests I took in high school that I had no idea why we were even taking them. Also, after reading this I finally found out what the SATs stood for, and this was a test a studied months for. I think it is sad that children are preparing so hard for something they do not fully understand.
Overall Reaction to Your Research:What did your research teach you about your original question? How would you sum up what you've learned?
Overall, I feel extremely more informed about the history of standardized testing. I was able to understand the process America has gone through to be where it is, today. I have learned that America has made many attempts to account for everyone's learning, however, I believe we have taken the easy way out at times. Although standardized testing has developed over the years, I think we should look more to testing like The New York Performance Standards Consortium, where they have seen clear positive results. I believe there is a long way for America to go.
How does this research help us identify or refine a strategy to improve schools in Rhode Island?
This research brings awareness to where our country started and where it is headed. We have come far with our knowledge and eagerness to learn more, however we need to realize that learning is an individual process, not collective data. Concerning Rhode Island, I feel if students were more aware of the different types of testing around the country they would ask more questions.
Research Question: What is the history of standardized testing?
Author: Emily Hudson
1.) Standardized Testing and School Accountability
WILIAM, D. (2010). Standardized Testing and School Accountability. Educational Psychologist, 45(2), 107-122.
This analysis article, written by Dylan Wiliam, narrows down on how the focus of teaching has changed throughout the years. He mentions a powerful quote that H. L. Mencken made over a century ago: “There is always an easy solution to every human problem: neat, plausible, and wrong.” He also talks about England's education system and how it has impacted America. In 1858, a Royal Commission was set up to, "inquire into the state of popular education in England." Their report stated that the money being paid to elementary schools should depend on three aspects - physical condition of school, attendance, and performance of the students in an oral exam. This became well know as, "payments by results." This concerned how much the schools should be getting paid and essentially the salary of the teachers. Meanwhile in America, testing for accountability became a hot topic. The stakes for testing continued to be much higher for the teachers than the students, which they have been like for many years now. In contrast to America, in other developed and developing countries, testing regimes are either lower stakes for the teachers or both high-stakes.
After reading this, it clarifies how America's education system is viewing education. By seeing how we have mirrored England's ways, and how we have only grown worse with it, in my opinion, it truly shows how we are going in the wrong direction with it. Also, it showed how we have been putting so much pressure on the students and teachers for much longer than I thought.
2.) Measuring Student Achievement: A Study of Standardized Testing & Its Effect on Student Learning
Gawthrop, J. Measuring student achievement. A Study of Standardized Testing & Its Effect on Student Learning, 4-28. Retrieved December 1, 2015.This academic journal by Jeremiah Gawthrop gives his opinion on how he feels people have viewed standardized testing. Standardized tests were designed to assess a students' knowledge without bias. Also, many government officials believe standardized testing ways are a reliable indicator of students' abilities. These tests have been heavily incorporated into the education process with drafting education policies, such as No Child Left Behind and Race to The Top. Although education was not specifically mentioned in America's founding documents, it has become clear the it is impossible to achieve our God given rights without it. Education has become a tool to take people out of poverty and bring them liberty. Due to the formal way standardized testing is performed, schools and government officials feel as though it provides an efficient, helpful collection of data.
In this essay, I feel like Gawthrop really explores how the government has adapted ways of standardized testing. However, it makes you wonder if the government is following education's path or is education molding more into how the government is run.
3.) Standardized Test
Concepts, L. (2013). Standardized Test Definition. The Glossary of Education Reform. Retrieved 15 December 2015
The Glossary to Education Reform explains what makes up a standardized test and the different varieties we have developed. Standardized tests typically come in multiple-choice and true-false formats in order to score quickly and inexpensively. However, there can be open-ended essay questions scored by humans with a set rubric to ensure consistency. This way of testing is seen "less efficient", "costly," and, "more subjective." Surprisingly, companies are in the process of designing computerized systems in order to replace human scoring on essays. There are several purposes of standardized testing; one use is achievement tests. Achievement tests measure the knowledge and progress of students over a period of time and determines what stage you are at. Also, aptitude tests are "forward-looking" and attempt to predict a student's ability in certain circumstance. They show how well students will do in a similar future educational or career setting.After reading what the Glossary of Education Reform had to say about standardized testing, I am shocked to see how "efficient" we are becoming. I cannot imagine the controversies and debates there will be when there are computerized systems grading essays.
4.) To the Core: College Composition Classrooms in The Age of Accountability, Standardized Testing, and Common Core State Standards
Addison, J., & McGee, S. (2015). To the Core: College Composition Classrooms in The Age of Accountability, Standardized Testing, and Common Core State Standards. Rhetoric Review, 34(2), 200-218.
This newspaper article really goes into depth about how standardized testing has evolved. In 1833, Harvard and other colleges started to conduct written exams as proof of achievement. In 1851 Harvard faculty realized that everyone coming into the school did not have a uniform set of skills and turned to written entrance exams. Also, the number of children attending public schools was drastically increasing and began to mirror the ways of testing at their schools. Prior to 1845, the Boston public schools also followed the standard practice of requiring oral exams, but due to the extremely high number of students, they turned to a written exam - thinking it would be less time consuming and more objective. The 1860s marks the beginning of any significant change in American universities when a diverse group of people started to seek a university education. The introduction of scaled tests of writing started with George Fisher, an English schoolteacher, who conducted anchor papers on a scale of 1-5 for each student. Later in 1912, The National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as The Nation’s Report Card, was conducted in 1969. It was conducted every four years on a national basis to obtain the progress of American Education.This article gave me the most information out of all of my sources. I feel as though this newspaper article truly captures how America has turned to quickness and easiness when dealing with education. It shows that America does want to improve students' learning, but do not know how to manage every single student's learning.
5.)16 Standardized Tests Being Used in Education Today
Teachthought.com,. (2015). Retrieved 1 December 2015
This reputable website, "Teach Thought," clearly identifies the different types of standardized testing in America. It focuses on many types of testing, but I chose to focus on a handful of them. First, the Common Core State Testing tests students in math, reading, foreign languages, economics, arts, and physical education. These test results drastically effect teacher evaluations, education policies, and funding. Also, Terra Nova is a series of achievement tests used by the Department of Defense, California, and other states. These tests assess reading, language arts, math, science, social studies, vocabulary, spelling, and other areas. Next, the Stanford Achievement Test, or the SATs is used both in America and abroad. It tests skills in reading comprehension, mathematics, problem solving, language, spelling, listening comprehension, science, and social science. Although this is an extremely common test students take when admitting to colleges, due to the No Child Left Behind Act, it is becoming less common as states develop their own standardized tests. To add, PARCC (the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) and SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) are making an impact on standardized testing. These tests are taken electronically and utilize computer skills. In addition to these tests, AP exams are offered at a numerous amount of high schools. There are currently 34 types of AP courses offered focusing on different topics that serve as college credit. Lastly, The New York Performance Standards Consortium has effected 28 public high schools. Its new technique of evaluating students by performance-based assessments instead of standardized tests they focus on research papers and physical science projects, which has shown extreme improvement. With research papers and physical science projects, students get more involved in the curriculum, and it is showing in the dropout rates.
This website clearly outlines all of the tests students take. I thought it was very beneficial to read this, because it explains the purpose and reasonings for the tests we take. There were several tests I took in high school that I had no idea why we were even taking them. Also, after reading this I finally found out what the SATs stood for, and this was a test a studied months for. I think it is sad that children are preparing so hard for something they do not fully understand.
Overall Reaction to Your Research: What did your research teach you about your original question? How would you sum up what you've learned?
Overall, I feel extremely more informed about the history of standardized testing. I was able to understand the process America has gone through to be where it is, today. I have learned that America has made many attempts to account for everyone's learning, however, I believe we have taken the easy way out at times. Although standardized testing has developed over the years, I think we should look more to testing like The New York Performance Standards Consortium, where they have seen clear positive results. I believe there is a long way for America to go.How does this research help us identify or refine a strategy to improve schools in Rhode Island?
This research brings awareness to where our country started and where it is headed. We have come far with our knowledge and eagerness to learn more, however we need to realize that learning is an individual process, not collective data. Concerning Rhode Island, I feel if students were more aware of the different types of testing around the country they would ask more questions.